THE centre of Leamington was one big party for the town's Christmas lights switchon yesterday.

Organisers had promised the biggest and best Christmas lights display the town had ever seen - and the crowds who turned up were

not disappointed. More than 5,500 festive lights - 1,000 more than in previous years - were switched on in the Parade, outside Leamington town hall, by Valerie Leon, who is playing the fairy godmother in a Spa Centre production of Cinderella.

She was helped by the Mayor of Leamington, Iain Jermond, and David Shilton, chairman of Warwick District Council, as well as hundreds of families who counted down the seconds until the big switch-on.

All the area from the top of the Parade to Clemens Street, in Old Town, was lit up in a colourful display, and crowds of people braved the cold to watch it happen.

Ian Coker, amenities manager for Warwick District Council, who was one of the event organisers, said: "It was a bit cold to begin with but everyone got warmed up and it was a good afternoon.

"A lot of new talent from around the area appeared on the stage and performed very well.

"A lot of people turned up and everyone seems to have had a very good time."